Dough panning machine



March 2, 1954 A. G. AVILA DoUGr-I PANNING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19, 1948 [N VEN TOR. A.G.Av|LA Hrraz/vsr March 2, 1954 A. G. AVILA DOUGH PANNING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1948 I #lip INVENTOR AVIL A 5m Hrroe/ March 2, .1954 A. G. AVILA DOUGH PANNING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan.A 19, 1948 FIG. 6

INVENTOR. A.G.AV|LA @MMV A. G. AVILA DOUGH PANNING MACHINE March 2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 19, 1948 m. nmnmm Patented Mar. 2, 1954 2,67 0,888 DOUGH PANNIN G MACHINE AbelardoA G. Avila,

York, Pa., assignor to Read Standard Corporation, a corporation of Dela- Ware Application January 19, 1948, Serial No. 3,085 9 Claims. (Cl. 226-14) This invention relates to depositing mechanism and more particularly to bakery machinery for depositing dough pieces on receiving means, such as baking pans.

An object of the invention is to provide a high speed machine that will accurately deposit dough pieces on baking pans in predetermined positions with respect to the pans and with respect to each other, and that is particularly adapted forV panning of rounded dough pieces withA a minimum of dislocation. In order to provide for proper location, for example, of hamburger roll dough balls on pans'yit has previously been necessary to pan them by hand, and an object of the present invention is to accurately pan rounded dough pieces mechanically with a minimum of dislocation thereof from predetermined positions on the pan.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of this type' that will deposit successive rowg of dough pieces on receivh ing means, such as baking pans, with a minimum of dislocation.

Another object is to provide a panningmachine of the type described wherein the depositing means and the pan advancing means are so synchronized that a plurality of equally spaced rows of dough pieces are deposited on a pan, a row at a time.

Another object is to provide a panning machine of the type described in which me depositing l means and the pan advancing means are so synchronized that the dough pieces' are identically positioned on successive pans regardless of the "skip distance between successive pans.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dough piece distributing and depositing mechanism for translatingr a single row of continuously on-coming dough pieces into successive transverse rows and depositing successive rows in spaced relation on successive on-coming pans.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of' the novel machine;

Figure 2 is a, plan view of the machine with the dough piece distributor and depositor removed and other parts broken away;

Figure 3 is an end elevation looking at the machine from the left side cik Figure 1;

Y Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line '1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8*-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view of a portion of the pan conveying chain with one pan and a portion of another shown in longitudinal vertical section, illustrating the spacing between the dough pieces carried by the pans; and

Figure l1 is a, View in elevation of the indexing means of the pan conveyor, illustrating the relation of the spacing between the indexing pins and the spacing between the dough pieces of Figure 10.

Although the invention is applicable to the depositing of materials other than dough, for convenience in describing the invention, the machine itself will be referred to and described as a dough panning machine and the material to be deposited is hereinafter referred to as dough pieces.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 4, the dough panning machine includes a suitable frame l for supporting the operating mechanism, that shown being of generally rectangular form made up of suitable upright corner posts and longitudinally and transversely extending connecting members providing a rigid skeleton-like structure.

The longitudinally extending upper side members Il and l2 of the frame IB, preferably in the form of angle irons, carry at their opposite ends the transversely extending shafts i3 and M. On the shaft i3 between the frame members Il and I2 is mounted a pair of spaced sprockets l5 and I 6, and similarly, on the shaft le between the frame members l! and l2 is mounted a pair of spaced sprockets Il and I8. The sprockets l5 and Il carry an endless chain i9 and the sprockets i6 and I8 carry an endless chain 2li, as best shown in Figure 2.

The upper runs of the endless chains I9 and 20 travel along the longitudinally extending rails 2| and 22, respectively. A series of cross bars 23, bent into a generally rectangular open bottom shape and secured to the frame members Il and l2 in an upright position, support the rails 2i and 22.

When viewing the panning machine as shown in Figure 1, the endless chains I9 and 29 travel in a counterclockwise direction. The empty pans are placed on the chains at the right side of the machine, whence they pass beneath the dough ball distributor 2d, and the lled pans are removed at the left side of the machine. In order that the pans may be properly positioned longitudinally on the chains i9 and 29 to insure the proper spacing of the rows of dough balls from the front and rear edges of the pans and the proper spacing between successive pans, transversely extending guide bars are suitably secured on the chains I9 and 29. Since the guide bars 25 are secured to the chains I9 and 25, they serve to push the pans forwardly as the chains travel about the sprockets.

To insure proper lateral positioning of the pans on the chains I9 and 25, longitudinally extending laterally spaced guide plates 2t and 21 are provided at the pan loading end of machine. The guide plates 25 and 21 are preferably laterally adjustable so that pans of different widths, within certain limitations of course, may be accommodated.

For this purpose a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending shafts 2S and 29 are rotatably mounted in any suitable manner, pref erably, as best shown in Figures 2 and 5, in brackets which are rigidly secured to the upright portions of two adjacent cross bars 23.

The shaft 28 is provided adjacent its opposite ends with the oppositely threaded portions 3i and 32. Threaded members 33 and S4, as clearly shown in Figure 5, are securely attached or formed with the guide plates 26 and 21, respectively, and engage the threaded portions 3i and 32, respectively. The shaft 2S, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is disposed at one end of the guide plates 26 and 21, while the shaft 29 is disposed at the other end of the guide plates 25 and 21. While not shown, it is understood that the shaft 29 is provided with oppositely threaded portions similar to the threaded portions 3| and 32 of the shaft 28, and engages threaded members, similar to the threaded members 33 and 3d, which are attached to or formed with the guide plates 2B and 21.

Mounted on the shafts 28 and 25 intermediate their ends, are sprockets 35 and 3E, respectively,

about which sprockets is trained a sprocket chain bythe .i-shaped plate 53 of the deflector 52, and

31. A handwheel 38 is mounted on an extension of the shaft 28 for turning shaft 25, and at the same time turning the shaft 29 through the described chain and sprocket connection. 'l'hus by turning the handwheel 33 in one direction, the guide plates 26 and 21 will, through the mounting arrangement thereof on the oppositely threaded portions of the shafts 23 and 25, as described above move toward one another, while turning the handwheel 38 in the opposite direction will move the guide plates 25 and 21 away from each other. A laterally adjustable guide arrangement is thus provided whereby pans of diierent widths may be accommodated.

It is evident that a single shaft intermediate the ends of the guide plates 25 and 21 could be employed instead of the two shafts 28 and 29 as illustrated, the latter is preferred, however, since it provides a more rigid construction with less tendency for the guide plates to become cocked or twisted.

Referring particularly to Figures l, 6 and '1, the dough ball distributor 24 comprises a pair of parallel transversely extending upright walls 39 and 40 and a pair of upwardly converging end walls 4I and 42, forming a housing 49 generally triangular in transverse cross section open at top and bottom. While the housing (i3 is shown as entirely enclosing the distributor 2li, except for the open top and bottom, it is apparent that the housing may be in the form of a skeleton-like frame work to provide greater accessibility to the interior of the distributor 213. The distributor 2li is disposed between the pan receiving and pan unloading ends of the panning machine, with the bottom of the distributor spaced above the upper run of the chains I9 and 20 that carry the baking pans. It is supported in this position from the frame Iii by means of the brackets t3 and 44 which are secured in any suitable manner to, and extend upwardly from, the longitudinally extending frame members II and I2. Any suitable means, such as the angles and 116, may be employed for rigidly securing the lower end of the distributor 2.1i to the upper ends of the brackets 43 and 44, as best shown in Figure 6. The angles t5 and 46 may be welded to the lower end of the distributor 2d; and secured to the brackets d3 and 44 by bolts 41.

Within the upper end of the distributor housing '48 are a pair of upwardly diverging longitudinally extending fixed guide plates 25 and 59. The guide plates and 50 extend from one transverse wall 39 to the other transverse wall it of the housing da and form a passageway 5i for the dough balls entering through the open upper end of the distributor 24. Beneath the lower end of the passageway 5I formed by the xed guide plates 59 and 5i! is a pivotally mounted deector 52. The deflector 52 is in the form of a pair of generally J-shaped plates 53 and 55 arranged back to back and extending longitudinally between the transverse walls 3S and 40 of the distributor housing 48. The pivot 55 of the deilector 52 is disposed between the ends and below the center of gravity of the deflector 52 so that it will flop to one side or the other of its upright position.

Since the pivot 55 is disposed below and equi distant between the fixed guide plates 42 and 55 as clearly as shown in Figure 6, it is apparent that with the deflector 52 in the position shown in full lines, a dough ball dropping lirough the passageway 5I willbe deflected to the right with the deflector 52 in the position shown in dot and dash lines,y a dough ball dropping through the passageway 5I will be deflected to the left by the J-shaped plate 54 ofthe deector 52. Pivoted cushioning members 55 and 51 which are contacted by the upper end of the deector 52, prevent the deiector from bouncing away from the position shown in full lines after it is opped over from the position shown in dot and dash lines, and vice versa. Stop members `55 and 59 arranged to be engaged by the cushioning members 56 and 51, limit the pivotal movement of the deector 52, so that the upper end of the defiector member 52 is either subjacent the lower edge of the xed guide plate t9 or subiaeent the lower end of the fixed guide plate 50.

Below the deector 52 is a central fixed guide 69 which in transverse cross section is generally inverted vV-shaped and is disposed with the crest thereof in vertical alinement with the pivot 55 of the deector 52. The sloping side walls 6I and 62 extend longitudinally from one transverse wall 39 to the other transverse wall 4U of the housing 48 and form with the upright side nxed guides 63 and 64, which also extend from one wall 39 to the other wall 40 of the housing 48, passageways S5 and 69 into which the dough balls versely extending guide block supporting rods 14 and 15, pass through the guide blocks 10, 1|, I2 and 13 and project at one end through the housing wall 4| and angle 45 and at the other end through the housing wall A2 and angle 46, as best seen in Figures 6, 8 and 9. The projecting ends of the supporting rods 14 and 'I5 are threaded to receive nuts 16 for securing the rods 'I4 and 'I5 in place.

The guide blocks 10, 1 I, 12 and 13 are provided, respectively, with openings 11, 18, 19 and 80 extending vertically therethrough, through which openings the dough balls drop from the defiectors 61 and G8 onto an accumulator plate 8| immediately beneath the guide block 69. The plate 8| is arranged to be intermittently reciprocated, as will appear hereinafter, whereby the dough balls accumulated on the plate are deposited on the baking pans. The openings 1S, 19 and 80 are preferably circular in horizontal cross section, while the opening 11 is U-shaped and extends through the side of the guide block 'I9 in order to receive the pivotally mounted vane 82,` the function of which is hereinafter described. The

openings 11, 18, 19 and 99 are tapered to present a large opening in the upper end of the guide blocks 10, 1|, 12 and 13 to facilitate receiving of the dough balls, and to present asmaller opening in the lower end of the guide blocks to provide more accurate spacing of the dough balls on the accumulator and depositing plate 8|.

Referring particularly to Figure 6, it will be seen that the guide blocks 12 and I3 are arranged beneath the deector 93 with their respective openings 19 and 80, immediately to the left and right, respectively, of the pivot of the deflector 88, so that the dough balls dropping through the passageway 66 will alternately be deflected into the openings 19 and 80. The openings 11 and 18 in the guide blocks 10 and 'Il are similarly varranged with respect to the deiiector 61, so

that the dough balls dropping through the passageway 95 will alternately be deflected into the openings 11 and 13. Suitable spacer collars 83 are mounted on the supporting rods 14 and 'l5 between the guide blocks and between the end walls of the housing 48 and the guide blocks, in

order to accurately position the guide blocks and to provide for limited adjustment thereof.l

With the deflectors of the distributor 24, as shown in full lines in Figure 6, a dough ball dropping through passageway 5| will be deflected into the passageway 95 by deiiector 52, and will then be deflected into opening of guide block 13 by the deiiector 68. The dough ball, upon contacting the deflectors 52 and 50, will nip them over to the position shown in dot and dash. The second dough ball will thus be deflected into passageway G5 and then into open ing 'IB of guide block 1I, and the deflector 52 will be returned to its full line position while the deflectcr 91 is flipped over to its dot and dash position. The

third doughbau will. b

6 denected into passage 66 and then by vdeector 68 into opening 19 of guide block 12, while the fourth dough ball will be deflected into passage 95 and then into opening 11 of guide block 10, completing a row of four dough balls resting on the accumulator plate 8|.

The accumulator and depositor plate 8| is adapted to move rearwardly from beneath the guide block 69 in slideways 84 and 85, whereupon the row of dough balls drop onto a pan carried by the chains 9 and 20. The plate 8| then moves forwardly beneath the guide block 69 to collect another row of dough balls. The pan is advanced a predetermined distance, the plate 8| again moves rearwardly, and a second row of dough balls are deposited on the pan. These movements are repeated to deposit successive rows of dough balls on one pan after another. The operation of the pan advancing means and the plate 8I and their synchronization is described in detail hereinafter.

A motor 89 mounted in any suitable manner on the frame I0 supplies the motive power for the operating mechanism of the panning machine. Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 4, the drive shaft 81 of motor 99 is in continuous driving relation with driven shaft 88 through the speed reducer 39. A sprocket chain 90 trained over the sprockets 9| and 92, fixed, respectively, on the shafts 88 and 93, provides a continuous drive relation between the shafts 98Aand 93.

A magnetic clutch 94 is arranged for selectively engaging a shaft 95 in operative relation or disengaging it from operative relation with the continuously driven shaft 88. The shaft 95 is operatively connected with the shaft I 3 for driving the conveyor chains I9 and 20. The operative connection between shaft 95 and shaft I3 includes; a shaft 99 driven from shaft 95 through a speed reducer 91; a shaft 98 driven from shaft 95 by a sprocket chain 99 trained over the sprockets |00 and I0| carried, respectively, by the shafts 98 and 96; and a sprocket chain |02 trained over the sprockets I 03 and |04 carried, respectively, by the shafts I3 and 98.

A one revolution clutch |95 is arranged for selectively engaging a shaft |96 in operative relation or disengaging it from operative relation with the continuously driven shaft 93. The shaft |95 is operatively connected with the plate 8| for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto. This operative `connection includes a crank disc |01 carried by the shaft |09 and a link |08 pivotally connected at one end to the crank pin |09 of crank disc I 01 and pivotally connected at its other end to one end of a lever IIO. The lever H0 is fixed between its ends on a transversely extending shaft III which is rotatably mounted in the frame members il and I2, the shaft III constituting the fulcrum about which the lever H0 pivots. 'I'he lever H0 is pivotally connected at its other end to one corner of the plate 8| A link H2 is fixed at its one end to the other end of the. shaft I I i and is pivotally connected to the opposite corner of the plate BI. Links H3 are preferably provided pivotally connecting the other corners of the plate 9| to the frame members Hand I2.

` pan.

' is operatively connected, by any well known suitable means, to the actuating means of the one revolution clutch |05. The clutch |05 connects the shaft |06 with the continuously operating shaft 93, and the operating connections between the shaft |08 and the plate 8| previously' described, eiect rearward movement of the plate 8|, thereby permitting a row of dough balls to drop onto a pan carried by the conveyor chains |9 and 20, and then eiect forward movement of the plate 8| into position to accumulate another row of dough balls.

When the lever has moved the plate 8| to its rearmost position, an arm carried by the lever |I0 contacts and closes a switch |I6 completing a maintained electric circuit (not shown) which is operatively connected, by any well known suitable means, to the magnetic clutch 94. The clutch 94 connects the shaft 95 with the continuously operating shaft 88, and the operating connections between the shaft 95 and the conveyor chains I9 and 20 previously described, effect operation of the chains i9 and 210 for advancing the pans.

Indexing means is provided for breaking the maintained circuit to the magnetic clutch thus stopping the operation of the conveyor chains |9 and 20 when the pan carried thereby has advanced a predetermined distance and is in position to receive a second row of dough balls from the distributor 24. For this purpose, a disc ||1 is mounted on the shaft I4 that carries the sprockets |1 and I8 over which are trained the conveyor chains |9 and 20. A plurality of vanes H8 project radially from the circumference of the disc ||1, the number of such varies being equal to the number of rows of dough balls to be deposited on a pan, in the present instance there being six vanes and six rows of dough balls, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Referring particularly to Figure 10, it will be seen that the distance A between the last row of dough balls in one pan and the first row of dough balls in the next succeeding pan is greater than the distances B between the rows of dough balls on the same rhe vanes I8 are therefore arranged around the circumference of the disc I1 so that the distances A and B between the varies, as best shown in Figure ll, are proportional to the distances A and B between the rows of dough balls. I

The vanes I8 are arranged to contact a switch I9 which breaks the maintained circuit to the magnetic clutch 94, thereby interrupting the driving relation between continuously operating shaft 88 and the shaft 95 and interrupting operation of the pan advancing mechanism. The pan thus comes to rest beneath the distributor 24 to receive another row of dough balls.

The last dough ball in the row again trips the mercury switch II4,

' which in turn operates the one revolution clutch |05, eiecting reciprocation of the plate 8|, and depositing of the row of dough balls upon the pan. Reciprocation of the plate 8| again causes arm IIE to contact the switch H8, operating the magnetic clutch 94, whereby shafts 88 and 95 are engaged in driving relation and thereby effecting operation of the pan advancing means. The pan advances until the next vane ||8 contacts the switch I9 and the cycle of operation is repeated.

As previously explained, with the pivoted deectors of the distributor 24 as shown in full lines in Figure 6, the dough balls drop through the openings B8, 18, 19 and 11, in that order. Also as previously explained, the dough ball dropping through opening 11' trips the mercury switch I4,

causes the plate 8| to move rear-ward, thereby permitting the row of dough balls to drop onto the pan, and then causes the plate 8| to return to its original position to receive the next row of dough balls. Now, in order to prevent a second dough ball from dropping through the opening during the reciprocating movement of the plate 8|, temporary holding rods |20 and I2| are provided, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9.

The rods |28 and I2| pass through the longitudinally extending transversely spaced openings |22 and |23, in the front wall of the guide block 18. The rods |29 and |2I are operatively connected by a bracket |24 with the plate 8|, and with the plate positioned beneath the opening 80, the rods |28 and |2I are withdrawn from the opening 8B permitting dropping of a dough ball therethrough. However, upon rearward movement of the plate 3|, the rods |20 and I2| extend through the opening Si?, and form a temporary holding means should another dough ball drop from the distributor 24 before the plate 8| has returned to its original position beneath the opening 80.

The rods |20 and I2| pass loosely through the bracket 12d and movement is imparted to the rods through the bracket by means of the springs |25 and |25 mounted on the rods |20 and |2|, respectively, between the bracket |24 and the respective collars |21 and |28. rThere is thus provided a lost motion shock absorbing arrangement when the ends of the rods |20 and |2| strike the rear wall of the guide block 13, thereby preventing distortion of the rods |20 and |2I, or the bracket I2l.

A similar arrangement of rods |29 and |30 is preferably provided for the guide block 12, since if the pivoted delector |38 should be in the position shown in dot and dash in Figure 6, while the deeotors 52 and 81 are in the full line position, then the rst dough ball of a complete row would drop through opening 19 of guide block 12. Temporary holding means is thus provided irrespective of whether the first dough ball of a row drops through guide block opening 19 or 80.

If desired a dough piece flattening roller |29 suitably supported from the frame I0 above the advancing pans may be employed. A catch pan |30, suitably supported from the frame |0 beneath the distributor 24, is preferably employed, so that if the operator should neglect to place a pan on the pan conveyor, the dough balls dropping from the distributor 24 will be caught in the catch pan |30.

I claim:

l. A dough panning device comprising a vertical distributor for delivering successive falling dough pieces in a succession of transverse rows, a pan conveyor for advancing pans beneath said distributor, a depositing member interposed between said distributor and said pan conveyor disposed to receive dough pieces by gravity from said distributor and for supporting successive single rows of dough pieces, means actuated by the last dough piece of each row delivered onto said member for moving said member from its supporting position to deposit said row of dough pieces on'a pan, and means including an indexing element for interrupting operation of said pan conveyor at intervals in predetermined positions for depositing of successive single rows of dough pieces on a pan.

2. A dough panning device comprising a vertical distributor for delivering successive falling dough pieces in a-succession of transverserows,

a pan conveyor for advancing pans beneath said distributor, a depositing member interposed between said distributor and said pan conveyor for receiving and supporting successive single rows of falling dough pieces, means actuated by the last dough piece of each row delivered onto said member for moving said member from its supporting position to deposit 4said row oidough pieces on a pan, means for interrupting operation of said pan conveyor at intervals for successively depositing single rows of dough pieces on a pan, andl means actuated by;movement of said depositing member out of its dough piece supporting position for restoring operation of said pan conveyor after each depositing operation.

3. A dough panning device-comprising a verti cal distributor for delivering successive falling dough pieces in a succession of transverse rows, a pan conveyorw for advancing pans beneath said distributor, a depositing memberl interposed between said distributor and said pan conveyor disposed to receive doughpieces by gravity from said distributor and for supporting successive single rows of dough pieces, means actuated by the last dough piece of. each row delivered onto said member for moving vsaid member :fromv its supporting position to .deposit said row' of accumulated dough pieces on a pan, means including an indexing element for interrupting operation of said pan conveyor .at intervalscorresponding to the distance between successive single rows of dough pieces to be deposited on said pans, and means actuated by movement of said depositing member out of its dough piece supporting position for restoring operation of said pan conveyor after each depositing operation.

4. A vdough panning device :comprising a distributor for delivering successive dough pieces in transverse rows, a pan conveyor for advancing pans lbeneath said distributor, a reciprocating depositing member fori-depositing said transverse rows of dough pieces a row at a time onto said pans, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said depositing member including a one revolution clutch for selective engagement with a continuously driven shaft, a detecting device actuated by the last dough piece of a row delivered by said distributor onto said depositing member for controlling operation of said one revolution clutch to eect reciprocating motion of said depositing member, drive means for said pan conveyor including a clutch for selectively engaging or disengaging a continuously driven shaft, means actuated by said depositing meinber after each depositing operation for effecting engagement of said last named clutch with said last named continuously driven shaft for operating said pan conveyor, indexing means operatively connected with said pan conveyor, and means controlled by said indexing means for disengaging said last named clutch from said last named continuously driven shaft for interrupting operation of said pan conveyor at intervals corresponding to the distance between successive rows of dough pieces to be deposited on said pans.

5. A dough panning device comprising a distributor for delivering successive dough pieces in transverse rows, a pan conveyor for advancing pans beneath said distributor, a depositing member interposed between said distributor and said pan conveyor for supporting a row of dough pieces, means responsive to the last dough piece of a row delivered onto said member for moving said member from its supporting position to deposit a row of dough pieces on a pan, and an auxiliary support normally out of dough piece supporting position, said support being movable with said depositing member into position for supporting the first dough piece of a succeeding row when said depositing member is moved from its supporting position.

6. A dough panning device comprising a distributor for delivering successive dough pieces in transverse rows, a pan conveyor for advancing pans beneath said distributor, a depositing member interposed between said distributor and said pan conveyor for supporting a row of dough pieces, mechanism for imparting reciprocating motion to said member for moving it from its supporting position to deposit a row of dough pieceson a pan and to its supporting position for supporting a succeeding row of dough pieces, means responsive to the delivery of the last dough piece of a row for effecting operation of said mechanism, and an auxiliary support movable with said depositing member into position for supporting the first dough piece of a succeeding row when said depositing member is moved from its supporting position, and movable out of supporting position when said depositing member is moved into supporting position.

7. A dough piece handling mechanism including a vertical distributor for rearranging continuously traveling dough pieces from a single file into a plurality of iiles to deliver dough pieces in successive rows, said distributor comprising a pivotally mounted deiiector in the path of said single file of traveling dough pieces for deiiecting them alternately to opposite sides of the deiiector to form a pair of parallel les of traveling dough pieces, and a pivotally mounted deilector in the path of each of said last named iiles of traveling dough pieces for defiecting them alternately to opposite sides of said last named derlectors to Vform four parallel files of traveling dough pieces, said deectors having a pair of divergent vane surfaces meeting in a common edge and being disposed with the common edge uppermost, said defiectors being pivotally mounted below their center of gravity for rocking movement transversely of the path of the falling doughpieces by contact of said dough pieces on opposite sides of said vanes, pendulously mounted stop means at each side of said defiectors adapted to be engaged by the upper end of said deiiector vanes for limiting said rocking movement, said pendulously mounted stop means providing cushioning stops for said deflectors a depositing member disposed transversely of said i-lles of traveling dough pieces in position to successively receive a dough piece from each file, and means responsive to delivery of the last dough piece of a row for moving said member from its supporting position to deposit a row of dough pieces.

8. A dough piece handling mechanism including a vertical distributor for rearranging continuously traveling dough pieces from a single iile into a plurality of les to deliver dough pieces in successive rows, said distributor comprising a pivotally mounted deflector in the path of said single file of traveling dough pieces for deiiecting them alternately to opposite sides of the deilector to form a pair of parallel les of traveling dough pieces, and a pivotally mounted deflector in the path of each of said last named les of traveling dough pieces for delecting them alternately to opposite sides of said last named deectors to form four parallel files of traveling dough pieces,

said deflectors having a pair of divergent vane surfaces meeting in a common edge and being disposed with the common edge upper-most, said deiiectors being pivotally mounted below their center of gravity for rocking movement transversely of the path of the falling dough pieces by contact of said dough pieces on opposite sides of said vanes, pendulously mounted stop means at each side of said deflectors adapted to be engaged by the upper end of said deiiector vanes for limiting said rocking movement, said pendulously mounted stop means providing cushioning stops for said deectors a depositing member disposed transversely of said files of traveling dough pieces in position to successively receive a dough piece from each file, mechanism for imparting reciprocating motion to said member for moving it from its supporting position to deposit a row of dough pieces and to its supporting position for supporting a succeeding row of dough pieces, and means responsive to the delivery of the last dough piece of a row for eiecting operation of said last named mechanism.

9. A dough piece handling mechanism including a vertical distributor for rearranging continuously traveling dough pieces from a single le into a plurality of files to deliver dough pieces in successive rows, said distributor comprising a pivotally mounted deflector in th-e path of said single file of traveling dough pieces for deiiecting them alternately to opposite sides of the deiiector to form a pair of parallel files of traveling dough pieces, and a pivotally mounted deector in the path of each of said last named ,Y

nies of traveling dough pieces for deflecting them alternately to opposite sides of said last named deflectors to form four parallel iiles of traveling dough pieces, said deectors having a pair of divergent vane surfaces meeting in a common edge and being disposed with the common edge uppermost, said deectors being pivotally mount- 12 ed below their center of gravity for rocking movement transversely of the path of the falling dough pieces by contact of said dough pieces on opposite sides of said vanes, pendulously mounted stop means at each side of said deflectors adapted to be engaged by the upper end ofsaid deector vanes for limiting said rocking movement, said pendulously mounted stop means providing cushioning stops for said deectors.

ABELARDO G. AVILA.

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